System for facilitating compliance with materials handling rules

ABSTRACT

System and apparatus for determining a relationship between transportable or storable materials and plural transportation or storage modes for the materials. In a transportation system, placard rules that correlate placards, materials, and transportation or storage modes are pre-stored in a computer memory. Materials data is entered corresponding to a first predetermined material, as well as data corresponding to a predetermined transportation mode or a predetermined storage mode. One of the plurality of predetermined placards is selected in response to the materials data, the transportation or storage data, and the placard rules data. The transportable or storable material may be a hazardous material, and the placard rules therefore correspond to safety rules. In an apparatus aspect, an arrangement selects one of a plurality of placards. The arrangement has an input for facilitating entry of data corresponding to a first material, a classifications memory for storing classification data corresponding to a plurality of hazzard classifications, an exceptions memory for storing exceptions data corresponding to a plurality of exceptions to the hazzard classifications, at least one of the exceptions being selected in response to the input arrangement, a general rules memory for storing general rules data corresponding to the plurality of placards; and a processor for selecting the determinable one of the plurality of placards in response to the input arrangement, the classifications memory, the exceptions memory, and the general rules memory.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

[0001] This application is a divisional application of U.S. Ser. No.09/766,109 filed on Jan. 18,2001.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] This invention relates generally to systems and arrangements forselecting signage and placards, and more particularly, to a method andapparatus for storing data corresponding to rules and laws, inputtingdata corresponding to situation or condition, and selecting appropriatesignage and/or placards.

[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0005] It is not uncommon for regulations and laws to impose obligationsto post signs or placards. Quite often, the laws and regulations arecomplicated and require the signs or placards that are to be posted tobe selected from a plurality of candidates in response to such laws. Thetrucking and shipping industry is an example of a regulated industrywhere vehicles, for example, are required to bear signage responsive tothe materials being transported. The laws, however, are not limited toplacard selection, but also control the condition of the transportation,such as environmental conditions (i.e., ventilation, humidity, heating,and cooling), weight limits, spatial relationships between materialstransported within the same vehicle, and even whether certain materialscan be transported at all by certain modes of transportation.

[0006] A similar situation exists in the warehousing industry. There isoften a need in a storage facility to post signage that identifies thematerials being stored. In addition, there is a need to identifyprohibited conduct in the presence of certain transportable or storablematerials, such prohibited conduct including, for example, limitationson smoking, carrying an open flame, failing to wear protective headgearor footwear, using radios or other sources of electromagnetic radiation,failing to wear radiation protection gear or monitors, subjectingmaterial to shaking or impact shock, wetting materials, etc.

[0007] It is to be understood that not all limitations on signage orconduct in relation to transportable or storable materials aredetermined in response to laws and regulations. Signage requirements canadditionally be established by policy decisions made by a manager, thetransporter or warehouse management, or by agreement with the shipper.

[0008] It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide a systemfor selecting placards in response to policy, agreement, regulation, orlaw.

[0009] It is another object of this invention to provide a system andarrangement for selecting one or more safety placards in atransportation or storage environment in response to the material beingstored, its characteristics, and requirements derived from policy,agreement, regulation, or law.

[0010] It is also an object of this invention to provide a system fordetermining the transportability of a material, either singularly or incombination with another material.

[0011] It is a further object of this invention to provide a system fordetermining the adequacy of a vehicle to transport a predeterminedmaterial in a predetermined quantity.

[0012] It is yet a further object of this invention to provide a systemand arrangement for marking a container or package of a container withinformation that identifies its contents.

[0013] It is also another object of this invention to provide a systemand arrangement for marking a vehicle with information that identifiesits cargo.

[0014] It is yet an additional object of this invention to provide asystem and arrangement for marking a bill of lading or other documentswith information that identifies its referenced material(s) inaccordance with determined rules.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0015] The foregoing and other objects are achieved by this inventionwhich provides, in accordance with a first system aspect of theinvention, a system for determining a relationship between a pluralityof transportable materials and a plurality of transportation modes forthe transportable materials. The system, which is directed to theselection of appropriate placards for one or more materials that are tobe transported, includes the steps of:

[0016] placard rules pre-storing in a computer memory placard rules datacorresponding to a plurality of predetermined placards, each suchplacard corresponding to a selectable one of a characteristic of atransportable material and a predetermined relationship between aplurality of the transportable materials, and the plurality oftransportation modes for the transportable materials;

[0017] first materials data inputting of first materials datacorresponding to a first predetermined transportable material;

[0018] transportation data inputting of transportation datacorresponding to a predetermined transportation mode; and

[0019] placard selecting one of the plurality of predetermined placardsin response to the first materials data, the transportation data, andthe placard rules data.

[0020] The rules data correspond, in respective embodiments of thisfirst system aspect of the invention, to a variety of types of rulesthat are applicable to the first material. These include, by way ofexample and without limitation:

[0021] safety rules that are applicable to the transportable material;

[0022] if the transportable material is hazardous, safety rules that areapplicable to determine whether the hazardous material is transportable;

[0023] handling rules that are applicable to the manner by which thetransportable material is to be handled;

[0024] perishability rules applicable to a perishability characteristicof the transportable material;

[0025] contractually derived rules applicable to the transportablematerial by agreement; and

[0026] rules derived under law applicable to the transportable materialby operation of law.

[0027] In a highly advantageous embodiment of the invention, there isfurther provided the step of second materials data inputting of secondmaterials data corresponding to a second predetermined transportablematerial. Of course, the second material is subject to the variety oftypes of rules that are applicable to the first material. In thisembodiment, however, prior to performing the step of second materialsdata inputting, there is further provided the step of segregation rulespre-storing in the computer memory segregation rules data correspondingto predetermined minimum spatial relationships between the plurality ofmaterials and the plurality of transportation modes for thetransportable materials. Thus, for example, materials that would reactwith each other during transportation are segregated. In thisembodiment, therefore, there is further provided the step of segregationdetermining of a segregation requirement between the first and secondtransportable materials, in response to the first materials data, thesecond materials data, the transportation data, and the segregationrules data. Also, even single materials that require isolation frompersonnel, such as radioactive materials, are accommodated within thescope of the invention.

[0028] The present invention includes within its scope transportablematerials that have temperature sensitivity. Thus, there is furtherprovided the step of temperature limitations pre-storing in the computermemory materials temperature limitations data corresponding totemperature limits to which the first predetermined transportablematerial can safely by subjected and to which the second predeterminedtransportable material can safely be subjected. There is thereforefurther provided the step of segregation determining of a temperaturelimitation segregation requirement between the first and secondtransportable materials. Thus, by way of example and without limitation,materials that cannot withstand freezing are segregated from materialsthat must be maintained frozen during transportation. The presentinvention therefore includes within its scope the further step oftemperature limitations pre-storing in the computer memory materialstemperature limitations data corresponding to temperature limits towhich the first predetermined transportable material can safely besubjected.

[0029] In a still further embodiment of the invention, there is providedthe step of first materials data inputting comprises the further step ofquantity inputting of quantity data corresponding to a quantity of thefirst predetermined transportable material. In this embodiment, there isfurther provided the step of determining a transportabilitycharacteristic of the first transportable material in response to thequantity data.

[0030] In another embodiment of this first system aspect of theinvention, prior to performing the step of placard selecting, there isfurther provided the step of materials characteristics pre-storingtransportable material characteristics data responsive to at least onephysical characteristic of the transportable material. Thecharacteristics data corresponds to predetermined characteristicsclassifications of the transportable material that are selected, withoutlimitation, from the following group of classifications including, butis not limited to:

[0031] a. non-transportable transportable materials class;

[0032] b. transportable explosives class;

[0033] c. transportable gases class;

[0034] d. transportable inhalation hazards class;

[0035] e. transportable flammable liquids class;

[0036] f. transportable flammable solids class;

[0037] g. transportable organic oxidizers class;

[0038] h. transportable organic peroxides class;

[0039] i. transportable poisons class;

[0040] j. transportable radioactive hazards class;

[0041] k. transportable combustible hazards class;

[0042] l. transportable miscellaneous hazards class;

[0043] m. transportable reactive hazards class;

[0044] n. transportable infectious hazards class;

[0045] o. transportable “dangerous when wet” class;

[0046] p. transportable “do not shake” class;

[0047] q. transportable perishable class;

[0048] r. transportable corrosives class; and

[0049] s. transportable non-hazards class.

[0050] Still another transportable material characteristic datacorresponds to a magnetic flux density of the transportable material.Regulations impose magnetic flux limits on the transportability ofcertain transportable materials, and of course, such material may needto be segregated within the same vehicle from other materials that havemagnetic sensitivity.

[0051] The regulations often are associated with specific transportationmodes, and in such situations, the step of transportation data inputtingcomprises the step of inputting transport mode data corresponding to thetransport mode, which may include, one or more of truck transport, railtransport, vessel transport, and aircraft transport. In a practicableembodiment of the invention, there is provided the step of inputtingtransport mode data corresponding to the dimensions of a transportvehicle, as well as environmental temperature control data, a heaterarrangement of a transport vehicle, an air conditioning arrangement of atransport vehicle, limitations on solar exposure, and destination datacorresponding to a destination of the first predetermined transportablematerial, which may include route data corresponding to a route viawhich the transportable material is to be transported. The destinationdata includes, in certain embodiments, data corresponding to obstaclesand limitations that are expected to be encountered along the route.Such limitations are expected to be encountered along the route, and insome embodiments of the invention correspond to limitations applicableto a bridge or a tunnel on the route. In an international shippingembodiment, the destination data includes data corresponding to acountry of destination of the first predetermined transportablematerial. Additionally, the destination data includes, in certainembodiments, data corresponding to controls imposed on exports byoperation of law.

[0052] In accordance with a second system aspect of the invention, whichis more specifically directed to safety signage of transport vehicles,there is provided a system for determining a selectable one of aplurality of predetermined safety placards that are to be installed on atransport vehicle in response to a selected one of a plurality ofhazardous materials to be transported therein. The system includes thesteps of:

[0053] placard rules pre-storing in a computer memory placard rules datacorresponding to the plurality of predetermined safety placards, suchplacard rules data including regulatory data responsive to applicablerules and regulations, the placard rules data associated with respectiveones of the predetermined safety placards containing hazardous materialdata associated therewith corresponding to a predetermined one of aplurality of hazard characteristic classifications of the associatedhazardous material;

[0054] first materials data inputting of first materials datacorresponding to a first hazardous material of the plurality ofhazardous materials selected to be transported in the transport vehicle;

[0055] transportation data inputting of transportation datacorresponding to a predetermined transportation mode; and

[0056] placard selecting one of the plurality of predetermined safetyplacards in response to the first materials data, the transportationdata, and the placard rules data.

[0057] In one embodiment of this second system aspect of the invention,in the step of placard rules pre-storing there is provided the furtherstep of inputting data corresponding to a predetermined relationshipbetween a plurality of the hazardous materials. Additionally, in afurther embodiment, in the step of placard rules pre-storing there isprovided the further step of inputting data corresponding to asegregation relationship that imposes spatial limitations betweenrespective ones of the plurality of hazardous materials. A plurality ofsegregation relationships are provided, and there is provided thefurther step of selecting a strictest one of the plurality ofsegregation relationships.

[0058] In a further embodiment of this second system aspect of theinvention, there is further provided the step of second materials datainputting of second materials data corresponding to a second hazardousmaterial of the plurality of hazardous materials selected to betransported in the transport vehicle. Moreover, as is the case with thefirst system aspect of the invention, in the step of placard rulespre-storing there is provided the further step of inputting datacorresponding to the plurality of transportation modes for the hazardousmaterials, the hazard characteristic classifications being selected fromthe group of classifications including, but not limited to:

[0059] a. non-transportable transportable materials class;

[0060] b. transportable explosives class;

[0061] c. transportable gases class;

[0062] d. transportable inhalation hazards class;

[0063] e. transportable flammable liquids class;

[0064] f. transportable flammable solids class;

[0065] g. transportable organic oxidizers class;

[0066] h. transportable organic peroxides class;

[0067] i. transportable poisons class;

[0068] j. transportable radioactive hazards class;

[0069] k. transportable combustible hazards class;

[0070] l. transportable miscellaneous hazards class;

[0071] m. transportable reactive hazards class;

[0072] n. transportable infectious hazards class;

[0073] o. transportable “dangerous when wet” class;

[0074] p. transportable “do not shake” class;

[0075] q. transportable perishable class;

[0076] r. transportable corrosives class; and

[0077] s. transportable non-hazards class.

[0078] In a further embodiment, the step of first materials datainputting includes the further step of inputting quantity datacorresponding to an amount of the first hazardous material to betransported in the transport vehicle. Additionally, there is furtherprovided the step of determining whether the first hazardous material tobe transported in the transport vehicle is a limited quantity shipment,and the further step of determining whether the first hazardous materialto be transported in the transport vehicle is a bulk shipment.

[0079] There is further provided the step of non-hazardous materialsdata inputting of non-hazardous materials data corresponding tonon-hazardous materials selected to be transported in the transportvehicle. This includes, in certain embodiments, the further step ofcomestible materials data inputting of comestible materials datacorresponding to comestible materials selected to be transported in thetransport vehicle. It is understood, however, that not all comestiblematerials are non-hazardous. Such materials may be flammable, explosive,reactive, etc.

[0080] In accordance with a third system aspect of the invention, thereis provided a system for determining a relationship between a pluralityof storable materials and a plurality of storage modes for the storablematerials, the system including, but not being limited to:

[0081] placard rules pre-storing in a computer memory placard rules datacorresponding to a plurality of predetermined placards, each suchplacard corresponding to a selectable one of a characteristic of astorable material and a predetermined relationship between a pluralityof the storable materials, and the plurality of storage modes for thestorable materials;

[0082] first materials data inputting of first materials datacorresponding to a first predetermined storable material;

[0083] storage data inputting of storage data corresponding to apredetermined storage mode; and

[0084] placard selecting one of the plurality of predetermined placardsin response to the first materials data, the storage data, and theplacard rules data.

[0085] As previously noted, the rules data in certain embodiments of theinvention corresponds to safety rules applicable to the storablematerial. The first predetermined storable material is a hazardousmaterial and the rules data corresponds to safety rules applicable tostorable hazardous material. In embodiments where the firstpredetermined storable material is a hazardous material, the rules datacorresponds to safety rules applicable to determine whether thehazardous material is storable and the manner by which the storablematerial is to be handled.

[0086] Additionally, the rules data corresponds in other embodiments toperishability rules that are applicable to a perishabilitycharacteristic of the storable material.

[0087] Also as previously noted, the rules data corresponds in someembodiments of the invention to contractually derived rules applicableto the storable material by agreement. In other embodiments, the rulesdata corresponds to rules derived under law applicable to the storablematerial by operation of law.

[0088] Other embodiments of this aspect of the invention provide thefurther step of second materials data inputting of second materials datacorresponding to a second predetermined storable material, as previouslydescribed, including the step of segregation rules pre-storing in thecomputer memory to establish predetermined minimum spatial relationshipsbetween the plurality of materials and the plurality of storage modesfor the storable materials. Also as previously noted, there is providedthe further step of temperature limitations pre-storing in the computermemory materials temperature limitations data corresponding totemperature limits to which the first predetermined storable materialcan safely by subjected and to which the second predetermined storablematerial can safely by subjected.

[0089] In accordance with an apparatus aspect of the invention, there isprovided an arrangement for selecting a determinable one of a pluralityof placards. The arrangement includes an input arrangement forfacilitating entry of first material data corresponding to a firstmaterial. A classifications memory stores classification datacorresponding to a plurality of hazzard classifications. An exceptionsmemory is used to store exceptions data corresponding to a plurality ofexceptions to the hazzard classifications, at least one of theexceptions being selected in response to the input arrangement. There isfurther provided a general rules memory for storing general rules datacorresponding to the plurality of placards. A processor selects thedeterminable one of the plurality of placards in response to the inputarrangement, the classifications memory, the exceptions memory, and thegeneral rules memory.

[0090] In accordance with one embodiment of this apparatus aspect of theinvention, the classification data contains data corresponding toclassifications that are selected from the group of classifications thatincludes, but is not limited to:

[0091] a. non-transportable transportable materials class;

[0092] b. transportable explosives class;

[0093] c. transportable gases class;

[0094] d. transportable inhalation hazards class;

[0095] e. transportable flammable liquids class;

[0096] f. transportable flammable solids class;

[0097] g. transportable organic oxidizers class;

[0098] h. transportable organic peroxides class;

[0099] i. transportable poisons class;

[0100] j. transportable radioactive hazards class;

[0101] k. transportable combustible hazards class;

[0102] l. transportable miscellaneous hazards class;

[0103] m. transportable reactive hazards class;

[0104] n. transportable infectious hazards class;

[0105] o. transportable “dangerous when wet” class;

[0106] p. transportable “do not shake” class;

[0107] q. transportable perishable class;

[0108] r. transportable corrosives class; and

[0109] s. transportable non-hazards class.

[0110] In an embodiment of the invention that is directed to awarehousing, or storage, environment, the classification data containsdata corresponding to classifications that are selected from the groupof classifications includes, but is not limited to:

[0111] a. non-storable storable materials class;

[0112] b. storable explosives class;

[0113] c. storable gases class;

[0114] d. storable inhalation hazards class;

[0115] e. storable flammable liquids class;

[0116] f. storable flammable solids class;

[0117] g. storable organic oxidizers class;

[0118] h. storable organic peroxides class;

[0119] i. storable poisons class;

[0120] j. storable radioactive hazards class;

[0121] k. storable combustible hazards class;

[0122] l. storable miscellaneous hazards class;

[0123] m. storable reactive hazards class;

[0124] n. storable infectious hazards class;

[0125] o. storable “dangerous when wet” class;

[0126] p. storable “do not shake” class;

[0127] q. transportable perishable class;

[0128] r. transportable corrosives class; and

[0129] s. transportable non-hazards class.

[0130] In one embodiment of this apparatus aspect of this invention, theinput arrangement facilitates entry of temperature data corresponding toa temperature characteristic of the first material, the temperature datacorresponding to a temperature characteristic of the first material.Additionally, the input arrangement facilitates entry of weight datacorresponding to a weight characteristic of the first material. Theprocessor is arranged to convert the weight data between first andsecond weight systems.

[0131] As previously noted with respect to the system aspects of theinvention, the input arrangement facilitates entry of second materialdata corresponding to a second material. Also, there is further provideda segregation memory for storing segregation data corresponding to apredetermined minimum spatial relationship between the first and secondmaterials.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0132] Comprehension of the invention is facilitated by reading thefollowing detailed description, in conjunction with the annexed drawing,in which:

[0133]FIG. 1 is a flow diagram that describes an overall process systemof a transportable hazardous materials embodiment of the invention; and

[0134]FIG. 2 is a schematic and function block representation thatillustrates a simplified arrangement configured in accordance with theinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0135]FIG. 1 is a flow diagram that illustrates a process that conformsto a transportable hazardous materials embodiment of the presentinvention. As shown in this figure, data, including the user'sidentification information, is entered at function block 10. Theinformation, which includes a variety of types of data that will bediscussed in greater detail hereinbelow in connection with FIG. 2, isconducted to block 11, which selects the hazard class division from aplurality of pre-stored classes. If the class is not found, a negativedetermination at block 13 causes a prompt to be generated for theoperator to enter the appropriate class at block 15. The process thencontinues to the selection of a packing group at function block 18, aswould have been the case if a positive indication of presence of theclass had been present at a block 16.

[0136] The packing group is first sought to be selected from the packinggroup information in block 18. If an appropriate packing group is notfound, the negative response at block 19 prompts entry of thatinformation at function block 20, whereupon a label code is generated atfunction block 24 as though a positive indication had been received atfunction block 22.

[0137] Accommodation for a special provision is obtained at functionblock 25. Such special provision may relate, for example, to whether thematerial is in liquid form or in solid form, or may relate to a specificmaterial, such as uranium hexafluoride. A positive response as towhether there is present an unidentified hazard zone is determined atfunction block 27. The information entered at this point is beneficial,for example, to emergency response personnel who readily can associateindications of zone A, zone B, zone C, zone D, and the like, with theneed for particular gear or protective equipment in the event of anaccident.

[0138] Quantity characteristics are then examined beginning at functionblock 30, denominated “limited quantity.” Packaging exceptions aredefined at block 32, and may include, for example, data relating to thesize of a container or package.

[0139] At block 34, it is determined whether the material that has beenentered is a bulk material. At block 36, data corresponding to bulkmaterial that is not identified at block 34 is requested, and theoperator then will enter manually the unidentified bulk material. Uponthe identity of the bulk material having been established, the processcontinues to block 37 where the weight of the material is entered. Ifthe weight is entered in metric units, a conversion is effected at block38.

[0140] At this point in the process, the data is analyzed at functionblock 40 to determine whether an exception has been created. Theresulting hazard class and exceptions thereto are analyzed in thecontext of the applicable general rules at block 42, and the need formaterials segregation, if any, is determined at block 44 frompredetermined segregation requirements stored in memory in tabular form.

[0141]FIG. 2 is a schematic and function block representation thatillustrates a simplified arrangement configured in accordance with aspecific illustrative embodiment of the invention. As shown in thisfigure, data is entered into the arrangement at a dat input 100. Theentered data is then processed by a processor 300 in accordance withrules and other data that is stored in a memory 200. The results of theanalysis are then presented to the user at an output device 400, whichmay be a display or monitor.

[0142] In this figure, memory 200 is schematically represented as aunitary block. However, the memory arrangement of practicableembodiments of the invention are not necessarily a singular unit, butinstead may formed of plural memory elements, such as ROMs, RAMs, harddrive disks, removable media, machine readable media, etc. The rules anddata that can be stored in the various implementations of this specificillustrative embodiment of the invention include, for example:

[0143] 1. placard rules that set forth the conditions under which a signor placard is to be selected, and may include laws, rules, andregulations applicable to particular materials;

[0144] 2. first materials data that includes the identification andcharacteristics of a material to be transported or stored;

[0145] 3. second materials data that includes the identification andcharacteristics of a further material to be transported or stored;

[0146] 4. safety rules, which may include OSHA and other laws, rules,and regulations applicable to modes of transportation or storage, and tocertain materials;

[0147] 5. perishability rules that govern the procedures to be usedduring transportation or storage of certain perishable materials;

[0148] 6. environmental temperature rules that govern the use ofheaters, refrigerators, freezers, and air conditioning equipment;

[0149] 7. route data that, in addition to map-like information can alsoinclude destination information, export restrictions imposed byoperation of law, impediments and limitations that can be expected enroute, and other route and destination related information;

[0150] 8. segregation rules that govern spatial relationships that areto be maintained between transported or stored items or materials;

[0151] 9. quantity data that identifies the weight or mass of thetransported or stored items or materials

[0152] 10. size data that identifies the dimensions of the transportedor stored items or materials;

[0153] 11. environmental control data that sets forth specification andlimitations of environmental control equipment, such as prohibitions onheaters that contain open flames;

[0154] 12. classification data that includes, for example:

[0155] a. non-transportable transportable materials class;

[0156] b. transportable explosives class;

[0157] c. transportable gases class;

[0158] d. transportable inhalation hazards class;

[0159] e. transportable flammable liquids class;

[0160] f. transportable flammable solids class;

[0161] g. transportable organic oxidizers class;

[0162] h. transportable organic peroxides class;

[0163] i. transportable poisons class;

[0164] j. transportable radioactive hazards class;

[0165] k. transportable combustible hazards class;

[0166] l. transportable miscellaneous hazards class;

[0167] m. transportable reactive hazards class;

[0168] n. transportable infectious hazards class;

[0169] o. transportable “dangerous when wet” class;

[0170] p. transportable “do not shake” class;

[0171] q. transportable perishable class;

[0172] r. transportable corrosives class; and

[0173] s. transportable non-hazards class; and

[0174] 13. transportability or storability data that sets forth whetherand how specific items or materials intended to be transported or storedare to be treated, and whether they can be transported or stored at all.

[0175] Although the invention has been described in terms of specificembodiments and applications, persons skilled in the art can, in lightof this teaching, generate additional embodiments without exceeding thescope or departing from the spirit of the claimed invention.Accordingly, it is to be understood that the drawing and description inthis disclosure are proffered to facilitate comprehension of theinvention, and should not be construed to limit the scope thereof.

What is claimed is:
 1. An arrangement for selecting a determinable oneof a plurality of placards, the arrangement comprising: an inputarrangement for facilitating entry of first material data correspondingto a first material; a classifications memory for storing classificationdata corresponding to a plurality of hazzard classifications; anexceptions memory for storing exceptions data corresponding to aplurality of exceptions to the hazzard classifications, at least one ofthe exceptions being selected in response to the input arrangement; ageneral rules memory for storing general rules data corresponding to theplurality of placards; and a processor for selecting the determinableone of the plurality of placards in response to said input arrangement,said classifications memory, said exceptions memory, and said generalrules memory.
 2. The arrangement of claim 68, wherein saidclassification data contains data corresponding to classifications thatare selected from the group of classifications comprising: a.non-transportable transportable materials class; b. transportableexplosives class; c. transportable gases class; d. transportableinhalation hazards class; e. transportable flammable liquids class; f.transportable flammable solids class; g. transportable organic oxidizersclass; h. transportable organic peroxides class; i. transportablepoisons class; j. transportable radioactive hazards class; k.transportable combustible hazards class; l. transportable miscellaneoushazards class; m. transportable reactive hazards class; n. transportableinfectious hazards class; o. transportable “dangerous when wet” class;p. transportable “do not shake” class; q. transportable perishableclass; r. transportable corrosives class; and s. transportablenon-hazards class.
 3. The arrangement of claim 68, wherein saidclassification data contains data corresponding to classifications thatare selected from the group of classifications comprising: a.non-storable storable materials class; b. storable explosives class; c.storable gases class; d. storable inhalation hazards class; e. storableflammable liquids class; f. storable flammable solids class; g. storableorganic oxidizers class; h. storable organic peroxides class; i.storable poisons class; j. storable radioactive hazards class; k.storable combustible hazards class; l. storable miscellaneous hazardsclass; m. storable reactive hazards class; n. storable infectioushazards class; o. storable “dangerous when wet” class; p. storable “donot shake” class; q. transportable perishable class; r. transportablecorrosives class; and s. transportable non-hazards class.
 4. Thearrangement of claim 68, wherein said input arrangement facilitatesentry of temperature data corresponding to a temperature characteristicof the first material.
 5. The arrangement of claim 68, wherein saidclassification data contains temperature data corresponding to atemperature characteristic of the first material.
 6. The arrangement ofclaim 68, wherein said input arrangement facilitates entry of weightdata corresponding to a weight characteristic of the first material. 7.The arrangement of claim 71, wherein said processor is arranged toconvert the weight data between first and second weight systems.
 8. Thearrangement of claim 68, wherein said input arrangement facilitatesentry of second material data corresponding to a second material.
 9. Thearrangement of claim 73, wherein there is further provided a segregationmemory for storing segregation data corresponding to a predeterminedminimum spatial relationship between the first and second materials.